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Ebsco ebooks

Guide to using Ebsco ebooks, a growing collection of multidisciplinary titles

The National Library provides free access to hundreds of non-fiction ebooks through the Ebsco site. You can find all of these ebooks in the Catalogue, or you can browse the ebooks by going directly to Ebsco ebooks in eResources.

These ebooks can be viewed online on the Ebsco site or downloaded to view from your computer, tablet, smartphone or e-reader. Downloaded ebooks can be accessed on your device for 5 days and then access will automatically expire.

All Ebsco ebooks can be accessed from outside of the Library building if you have a National Library Card. If you live in Australia you can get a library card for free, online through our website.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find Ebsco ebooks?

All Ebsco ebooks that the Library has subscribed to are available via the Catalogue.

To search the Catalogue for ebooks only, add the word 'ebscohost' to the search box and limit your search 'Book'.

When I find an ebook, how do I view it?

When you find an ebook in the catalogue, there will be an 'Online Access' link. When you click this link you will be prompted to login with the User ID on your National Library card. After you enter these details and login, you will be redirected to the ebook.

Do I need any special software to read ebooks?

You do not need special software to view and read ebooks online through the Ebsco website.

However, if you would like download an Ebsco ebook to view offline then you will need:

Desktop: Adobe Digital Editions 1.7.1 or higher Apple and Android devices: Bluefire Reader is recommended Kindle: PDFs can be created in the eBook Full Text view and transferred using Send To Kindle Other eReaders: Patrons must download to a desktop computer and use Adobe Digital Editions to transfer ebooks to their eReader.

I can’t view an ebook – it says ‘Sorry, this eBook is in use.’

You will see this message if someone else is already using the ebook you want. It won’t become available until they are finished with it.

eResources

You can discover more about Ebsco ebooks and our other eResources and how to access them by viewing the online screencast at the eResources home page.

Key terms used by Ebsco

eBook Full Text - You can use this link to read the ebook online using the internet based Ebsco viewer. There is no time limit.

DownloadThis eBook (Offline) – You can download the ebook to a local device (for example your computer, a smart phone, ebook reader etc). Downloading is not essential for viewing, printing or copying as this can be done from the Ebsco viewer.

Print - You can print pages from an Ebsco ebook. Due to copyright and licensing restrictions, there are limits to printing and copying. Printing from Ebsco is restricted to 10 pages of the ebook, per user.